Radicle Growth is all about flipping the script on leadership. Dave Reynolds argues that the best bosses aren’t the ones with all the answers; they’re the ones with all the right questions. He shares a coaching framework rooted in asking purposeful questions to help employees grow into problem-solvers and leaders themselves. The book is part how-to, part mindset shift, and full of stories and analogies that make it stick. From managing up, down, and across to creating systems that build accountability, Reynolds wants you to stop managing and start coaching.

I dove into this book expecting another corporate pep talk with catchy buzzwords and vague advice. What I got instead was something surprisingly personal and kind of refreshing. Reynolds opens with a simple question he poses to new managers: “Who was your toughest boss?” and then follows it up with, “Who was your best boss?” The aha moment is that they’re often the same person. That cracked me open a bit. It’s so real. We remember the ones who pushed us because they made us better. I loved how Reynolds used this to frame the rest of the book. It sets the tone: this isn’t about making people feel good all the time; it’s about helping them grow. And sometimes growth feels like friction.

One of my favorite parts was the “don’t feed the ducks” story. Reynolds shares an anecdote about a high-performing salesperson who regularly handed off his leads to underperforming teammates. At first glance, this might seem generous or even admirable. However, Reynolds reframes the situation, revealing that such behavior fosters dependence rather than growth. He points out that the guy was actually creating dependency and hurting everyone’s growth in the long run. That’s what coaching solves. You guide people to find their own fish instead of tossing them one. This idea stuck with me. Reynolds makes it clear that it’s a short-term win and a long-term loss.

I also appreciated that Reynolds didn’t try to be some untouchable guru. He admits he learned all this the hard way, first in telecom, then across industries. The anecdote involving Reynolds offering impromptu coaching to a banking executive during an NHL game stands out as particularly impactful. It’s not about having all the technical knowledge; it’s about knowing how to ask questions that spark clarity. The idea that the less you know, the more you can help blew my mind. It reframes the whole idea of expertise.

Radicle Growth is less of a manual and more of a mindset shift. It’s a book for anyone in a leadership role who feels like they’re constantly stuck in the weeds, answering questions, solving problems, never really freeing up their time or developing their people. If you’ve ever felt like you’re just putting out fires instead of building something lasting, this book is for you. It’s great for managers, coaches, and even parents. Anyone who wants to learn how to lead with intention, not just authority.

Pages: 172 | ASIN : B0DWYQ7HDK